Written by: Fiona Sheahan
Edited by: Maggie Wang
People typically think of art therapy as strictly hands-on activities, such as painting or drawing. Many might not immediately think that something less tactile like visiting an art museum would fall under the same category, but research has shown that it does. As informal learning environments, art museums lead viewers to reflect and have a cognitively stimulating experience. Art museums are sanctuaries that allow viewers and artists to connect.
Viewing art has recently been proven to cause restorative physical sensations. A research study comprised 1,186 participants and tested the correlation between the magnitude of their feelings and viewing 336 visual artworks. Researchers mapped the evoked emotions by the participants’ interest annotation and measured their eye movements. The study concluded that art summons a variety of feelings beyond the “basic” emotions of happy and sad, which allows a confrontation with feelings that are difficult to communicate. Researchers also found that the bodily sensations of touching and moving were highest with artworks that incorporated human figures that had the same action because participants were able to empathize with them (see here).
Art museum culture has been inclusive to underrepresented groups, especially those living with dementia. According to the DSM-5, dementia is a major neurocognitive disorder (NCD) and a broad term to describe several neurological conditions. Dementia causes difficulty with memory or alternative types of thinking. This prevents a person from doing everyday activities to the full extent and progressively becomes worse over time. Symptoms of dementia include: memory loss, confusion, requiring help with daily tasks, difficulty with language and understanding, and significant changes in behavior. Alzheimer's disease is a common cause of dementia, which starts in the brain many years before symptoms become present (see here).
The Museum of Modern Art offers the Meet Me at MoMA program for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or alternative forms of dementia and their families or caretakers (see here). Since 2006, this program has helped transform the lives of many individuals living with Alzheimer’s. As they look at visual art pieces, they develop perceptions that possibly reflect lost memories. There is hope in finding a reconnection to the reality they once lived. Gina Shaw, writer of Brain&Life, interviewed participants who engaged in the program. When she interviewed a participant after the recent program establishment, he was able to recollect his youthful days in New York even though he rarely spoke before participating at MoMa (see here). Although there is little scientific evidence to prove the benefits of viewing art for people with Alzheimer’s, many workers at MoMA believe in the transformative process. From observations, some participants could relieve stress and regain their mentality of individuality. Francesca Rosenberg, director of Community and Access Programs in MoMA's education department, said “It's a free atmosphere, where they don't have to fear failure or saying the wrong thing, and they can focus positively on the abilities they have left."
It’s important to note that other museums across the country offer similar programs for people living with dementia (see here). Offering these programs makes a significant impact on people living with dementia because they help revive their individuality. However, art museums can be appreciated by everyone. Whether it’s a rainy or sunny day, going to an art museum is a memorable trip that can feel everlasting.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
Alzheimer's Society. (2023, Feb) What is the Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease? https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/difference-between-dementia-alzheimers-disease#:~:text=Alzheimer%27s%20disease%20is%20the%20most%20common%20cause%20of%20dementia.&text=Alzheimer%27s%20disease%20starts%20in%20the,to%20be%20called%20%27dementia%27.
Dementia Action Alliance. Art Museums Offering Programs for People Living
with Dementia and Their Care Partners. https://daanow.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Art-Museums-offering-Dementia-Programming.pdf
Pexels. https://www.pexels.com/
Museum of Modern Art. (n.d). Meet Me at MoMA. https://www.moma.org/calendar/programs/35
Nummenmaa, L. & Hari, R. (2023). Bodily feelings and aesthetic experience of art,
Cognition and Emotion, 37:3,515-528, DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2023.2183180
Shaw, G. (Nov/Dec 2006) A Visit to the Art Museum Can Engage Those with Dementia.
Brain and Life. https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/patients-at-an-exhibition
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